The Ebony Alpha Ch. 05

It was raining and she was running through the mud. The sky was dark and gray and stretched over head like a blanket. Megan couldn't see where she was going, it was too dark.

The howling started again and it seemed that it was surrounding her. She kept moving, her feet sticking in the mud and slowing her down. All at once she felt herself falling and a tall dark stranger caught her in his arms, he had golden eyes that looked deep into her soul.

The earth began to move beneath them, but he didn't let her go. The quaking wouldn't stop and it made her right side tingle from the vibrations it caused.

"What the hell!" Megan opened her eyes the vibrations were real. It was her phone. The clock on her night stand showed one O'clock in the morning. She turned on her lamp and looked at the text.

"Damn!" She said and opened it completely to look at the picture. Remy had her grandmother by the neck. She had never seen him in wolf form but it could only be him. No one else would dare harm Mama Louisa.

She should have known that it wouldn't be that easy to get away from Remy. It seems that Mama Louisa had let her guard down and now she was in danger.

Looking at the picture again, she could still see Remy's features which meant that he had not completed his transformation. He must really be a monster.

He was seated beside her grandmother and still towered over her. His dark gray fur covered the tops of his arms and hands. But the scariest things were his claws, and they were wrapped around Mama Louisa's neck.

What she noticed the most was the look in Mama Louisa's eyes. There was no fear. She knew Mama Louisa would put on a brave face, just to keep Megan where she was.

Megan wasn't falling for it, the text said 48 hours. Yes she knew what that meant; she would be on the next plane back to New Orleans. Megan couldn't let Remy hurt her grandmother.

Pulling out her suitcase she packed her clothes that she had just unpacked a few weeks ago. Maddie was going to be so pissed! She was going to have to go solo on her date. It was for the best. Megan didn't want to taint Maddie's life with her troubles.

She quickly wrote Maddie a note and called a taxi. She quietly left the apartment and hoped Maddie wasn't a light sleeper. She didn't want any drama.

*****

Maddie was so excited she'd hardly slept the night before. She couldn't wait for her date tonight with Sullivan. He had haunted her dreams. His blue eyes had caressed her face, and she had wanted him to caress much more.

Maddie blushed at her thoughts. In her dreams he had kissed her and she had wantonly opened her mouth and kissed him back. She shook her head to get back to reality and walked into the kitchen. "

"Hey Megan where's the coffee?" she called. Megan always got up before she did and had coffee made before Maddie went to work.

"Megan!" she yelled again. When she didn't get a response, she went into Megan's bedroom. It was empty and her suitcase was missing as well. Feeling herself begin to panic, Maddie looked around the room and found a note taped to the mirror.

"Maddie, first off please don't panic. Remy has Mama Louisa hostage, and I am the ransom. I'm sure Remy will harm her if I don't go back home. If anything happens to Mama Louisa; it will be my fault. Please forgive me for not waking you up, this is something I have to take care of myself. Love you Cuz. Megan."

She slowly sat on the bed and tried to stop shaking. This man was crazy and her cousin was running right to him. She had to get help and fast. She knew her grandmother wouldn't allow anything to happen to Megan, even if it meant her own death.

Maddie saw the two letters that she had read last night on the nightstand. She looked at the small slip of paper again and it came to her; Jackson's last name was Clarion and he was from North Dakota.

Maddie grabbed the letters and Megan's note, before running out of the apartment. She had to find out if there was a connection. If Jackson and his friends were what she suspected; they would be of great help to Megan and her grandmother.

**********

Maddie banged on the door of the Penthouse suite of Jackson Clarion.

"What's the hell is going on!" a voice yelled as the door was pulled open. It was Sullivan and he was shocked to see Maddie standing there completely out of breath.

"Where is Jackson? I need to see Jackson." She said running into the suite. Sullivan bristled at her request, she was his mate, what did she want with Jackson?

"Maddie what's wrong, you look like the hounds of hell are chasing you?" Jackson inquired as he came into the room.

"Please Jackson I need your help." Megan cried desperately. "Look at this picture and tell me if you know these people."

Maddie showed him the picture of Katelyn and Joseph O'Hara. Jackson recognized them right away. "Where did you get this picture Maddie?"

"My cousin just found out that she is their daughter. She was raised by her godparents and never knew her real parents were still alive." Maddie held the letter out to Jackson and he read it.

"What do you want me to tell you Maddie?" Jackson asked calmly.

"Is this true, are you from the Clarion Ranch?" Megan asked again. "Do you know these people?"

"Have a seat Maddie." Jackson said, trying to compose his thoughts. "Yes I know Kate and Joe. They are some of the best members of my pack. They would be very happy to see their daughter if she wants to meet them."

Jackson held the letter closer to his face and caught its scent. There was the glorious smell of orchids and the musky scent of vanilla. His wolf shook it's head and wandered closer to the forefront of his senses.

Jackson held the letter closer to his nose and breathed in deeply. His wolf began to run in circles and the howling in his head made him grimace to keep his control.

Sullivan tried to take the letter from Jackson's hand and was met with a rough shove.

"Mine" Jackson growled and inhaled the paper before him once again.

"Maddie where is your cousin, Megan is her name right?" Sullivan asked.

"She ran away back to New Orleans. She left a note saying our grandmother was in trouble and only she could save her."

"Why would she think that?"

"Mama Louisa helped her escape from a very bad man in New Orleans. His name is Remy Sandorian and he is also a werewolf." Maddie looked at Sullivan and waited for him to call her crazy.

Sullivan just sat back on the sofa and sighed, "How long have you known what we are Maddie?"

"I wasn't sure until Jackson told me that he knew Megan's parents." Maddie looked at Jackson and noticed he had calmed himself somewhat. She saw that he was still inhaling the letters and asked. "What's wrong Jackson, why are you sniffing the letters?"

"I am attracted to the scent of your cousin. Her essence calls to me, as yours does to Sullivan."

Jackson was in full Alpha mode now. He had pushed back his wolf, only because now they knew where their mate was. The fact that she may be in trouble had helped him regain control, and he had to stay that way if he was going to help her. He only knew her scent, but that was enough, the scent didn't lie.

"I am sorry but I need to call my Parents." Jackson said. "They will have to be told what has happened here."

"What about Megan? Will you help her?" Maddie stood up and began to pace in front of the sofa. She was frantic; this was all too much for her. The talk of scents and mates was enough to drive anyone insane. How could Jackson claim Megan as his mate? They hadn't even met!

"Maddie I must seek advice from my parents. They may send us help to New Orleans. I don't know what we will be facing, and I must insure that we get everyone out of this safely." Jackson left the room to make his phone call.

His words calmed Maddie somewhat and she sat down again. Sullivan took a seat near her and took her hands in his.

Maddie looked into his eyes and saw what seemed to be a glowing ember behind the blue. "So you're really a werewolf Sullivan?"

"Yes Maddie all of us are. Are you frightened?"

"I am not afraid of you Sullivan; I'm just a little confused."

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I assure you we are not the monsters they portray us to be on TV."

Maddie could sense that. These men looked just like any others she may have seen anywhere.

"Why are you attracted to my scent?" Maddie asked curiously.

Sullivan laughed and looked at Maddie intently. "We are drawn to our mates by their scent. Only I can smell the very essence of you. It is like a part of me."

"What do I smell like anyway?" Maggie couldn't help but ask.

"You happen to smell like lilac and wild honey. It is the most delicious aroma I have ever encountered."

Sullivan pulled Maddie's wrist to his nose and breathed in deeply. He pushed back her red curls and placed his mouth behind her ear to taste her skin with his tongue.

Maddie gasped and felt the Goosebumps form on her body. Her nipples betrayed her and her pulse began to race.

Stephan walked into the room and smiled when he saw that Maddie and Sullivan were getting more comfortable with each other. "Where's Jackson?" He asked as he looked around the suite.

Maddie blushed furiously when she saw Stephan's knowing look. She tried to move away from Sullivan, but he just pulled her closer. "Sit down little brother let me fill you in." Sullivan gave Stephan a run down on all that had happened while he was asleep.

Growling loudly Stephan banged his fist on the arm of the chair. "Damn! This is about to get serious and fast. I knew it would be a matter of time until we had a real battle?"

"This is something that Jackson and I have been training for all of our lives."

"So have I my brother, just on the tactical side. I can swing a mean punch if I have to though." Stephan reminded him.

Being the only one with a clear head, Stephan called their pilot and had their private jet put on standby. No matter where Jackson decided to go they could be ready to leave in a few hours.

******

Anderson Clarion looked at his phone with pleasant surprise. His son was calling.

"Hello Jackson."

"Hello Father. How are you and Mother?"

"You Mother misses you terribly but she is patient my son. She knows that Luna guides you and will be ready to welcome you and your mate home."

"I would also like to inquire of Evelyn." Jackson said hesitantly. He hoped his Father would understand that he could not just forget about her.

Anderson knew his son would always care for the beautiful beta, and he controlled his urge to discourage his interest.

"Evelyn is doing well my son. She has been keeping up with her duties and I have noticed no complaint from her." Anderson wasn't completely truthful, but that was not important now.

Jackson looked at the letters in his hand and sighed. His Father may not consider the scent from them enough to claim his mate.

"Father, I think I may have found my mate."

"Is she as beautiful as the Prophesy has proclaimed Jackson?"

"Well Father that is why I am calling, I haven't actually met her yet. I have encountered her scent and it was enough for my wolf to make our claim."

"This sounds very interesting my son tell me everything."

"It all started with Sullivan, the woman who gave us a tour yesterday turned out to be his mate." Jackson heard his Father laughing and he couldn't help but smile as well.

"The woman who I scented is her cousin Father, but there is a twist; she is the child that Joe and Kate put into protection all those years ago."

"Little Megan O'Hara is the woman in question?" Anderson stood from his chair and looked at the man sitting before him. Joe's green eyes looked at him with concern at the mention of his daughter's name.

"She was here in Boston, but she received news that her Grandmother is in danger. Megan left town to try and save her. The woman is being threatened by a man named Remy Sandorian. He is also a werewolf Father."

"Have you decided if you are going to follow her?"

"I have no choice in the matter; I have to protect my mate. I have no idea what this man could want with Megan. But if he would use her Grandmother to sway her decision it can't be good."

"Let me know your travel plans so that Darien can coordinate help for you." Anderson said. "Our contacts in New Orleans will come in handy right now."

"Ah yes, The Boscoyo Pack; they are located in Baton Rouge; it is not far from New Orleans."

"I will contact them right away. I will be careful Father and assure my Mother, that I will return to her a single man no more."

Jackson hung up the phone and took a deep breath. It was time to rejoin his friends and plan their rescue mission. He could only hope it would not be too late.

******

Anderson looked at his friend sighing heavily. "As I am sure you heard; Megan is Jackson's true mate."

Joseph O'Hara had heard every word spoken between the father and son. Could it be true? Was his daughter the Fiery One? He knew Megan was in trouble and that another Were was the cause.

"The other man must be aware of the Prophesy, Anderson. He would use my daughter to further his own interest."

"He has quite a bit of time before the Blood Moon; she would have to be held captive until he could mate with her."

"That is to our advantage Anderson, it gives Jackson time to find her and bring her home." Joe wasn't sure whether to be happy are sad. His daughter was in danger. But if everything worked out all right he would be seeing her face to face real soon.

"You know when we went to Rose and Reese's funeral we saw her there. It was all I could do to keep Kate from going to her and telling her everything. Maybe if I had allowed it we wouldn't be going through this right now."

Anderson patted the big man on the back and laughed, "You should know that Luna has her own time for things Joe. Jackson will not be a true mate to your Megan, unless he can prove to her that he can protect her." Anderson sat back down and continued.

"When you and Kate came into our care we knew it would be hard for you to give up your child. We all agreed that it would not be fair to raise her as one of us. Megan needed a chance to choose her own fate. Now we see that our Mistress Luna had planned for her to be a part of us all along."

"We have been waiting for her to contact us. Mama Louisa gave her the letters from her parents not too long ago." Joe sighed. "I guess we will meet now under less than happy circumstances."

"So I take it you will be going to New Orleans my friend."

"Yes Anderson I also have no choice in this matter. I must protect my child."

"Then you have my blessing Joe. Hurry to Kate and let her know what has transpired."

"I will my friend. If I know my Alpha, Jackson is already preparing to leave."

Anderson and Joe shared a laugh at the thought of Jackson rushing to rescue his mate sight unseen.

********

Megan couldn't believe it; they had just cancelled all flights from Boston due to heavy fog. She only hoped that it would clear soon, her time was quickly running out.

She had to get to New Orleans by tomorrow night. Her phone began to ring and she checked the display, it was Maddie. She sighed and answered the phone.

"Hello Maddie."

"Oh my God, Megan! How could you just run out on me like that? I thought you trusted me."

"I do trust you Maddie, but I have to take care of this on my own. Remy is my problem to solve."

"No you don't Cuz. I figured out the Clarion connection and I have found people who can help us."

"The Clarion connection, that sounds like a bad movie." Megan joked.

"I will explain it to you later, or you in New Orleans yet?"

"No I am still in Boston. This damn fog has me trapped here and Mama Louisa is on the clock. He gave me 48 hours to get back home." Megan held the phone away from her ear as her cousin squealed her joy.

"Stay right there Megan we are coming to get you. We will get through this together, I am your family and Mama Louisa is my grandmother too." Maddie hung up the phone before Megan could protest and she met the eyes of the men seated around her.

"She is still here." Jackson said as he jumped to his feet, already putting on his jacket. He was headed for the door before Maddie could stop him.

"Keep her busy Sullivan; I will handle this on my own." Jackson called through his bond. He hated to put his friend on the spot, but he didn't want to be in a crowd when he found his mate.

Maddie waved the telephone at Stephan. "See if you can catch up with him. I will get a limo to meet us out front and take us to the airport."

Maddie was in complete control and obviously very happy. She smiled at Sullivan, her joy shining on her face.

Sullivan couldn't help but look at Maddie with admiration. She was smart and very loyal to her family. She would make a good mate. Luna had definitely smiled on him.

He wasn't sure what he should do to keep her from following Jackson. He wasn't known for his intellect, so he decided to rely on his physical attributes.

Sullivan instinctively pulled Maddie into his arms and kissed her. Her surprised gasp gave him entry to her sweet mouth and he plundered its softness with his tongue. She tasted just as good as she smelled.

Maddie knew she had to do something but she couldn't think of it now. Her heart was pounding and her body was pressing itself against the man who held her. Coming to her senses; she pressed hard against Sullivan's chest and tried to break his embrace. He lifted his mouth from hers and looked at her with lust clearly showing in his eyes.

"Sullivan I have to call for the Limo, Jackson needs to wait for us."

"I have every confidence that Jackson will find your cousin just fine. He has her scent now and nobody will stop him from finding his mate." Sullivan pulled Maddie back into his grasp and lowered his lips once more to taste her wild honey.

******

"Jackson wait!" Stephan was too late. Jackson had hailed a taxi and was on his way to the airport. Turning to the front desk he asked when the limo for the Clarion party would be ready? The desk clerk check her log and told Stephan no limo had been ordered.

Looking around Stephan noticed that Sullivan and Maddie had not arrived in the lobby,and he just smiled. Turning back to the front desk he ordered a limo to pick Jackson up at the airport. The desk clerk confirmed his request and Stephan headed into the hotel bar. When he was seated he nudged his brother's bond.

"Do you have to do this right now Bro? We are in a bit of a crisis here." He jumped in his seat as the strong bump hit his mind.

"Jackson doesn't need our help for this little brother. If anyone can find his woman; it's Jackson. As for what I am doing, mind your own business and give me a little privacy."

Stephan chuckled and ordered a drink, his work here was done. One day he would find his mate like his brother and Jackson, but for right now he could wait.

There were plenty of she-wolves in the forest, and he wasn't in any hurry to give up trying to pin as many as he could.

*******

Sullivan slipped his hand behind Maddie's head to hold her mouth in place while he took complete advantage of her position. He was reaching the point of no return.

He had been with many women before but had never wanted to completely consume them. This woman was special and he had to treat her that way. He slowly ended their kiss to let the both of them catch their breath.

"Sullivan, stop it! Your timing couldn't be any worse." Maddie struggled against him.

"Jackson wanted me to delay you, and this is the only way I could think of doing it."

Maddie just looked at the large man in front of her. Her lips were tender and swollen from his kisses; she could still taste him on her tongue. Angry tears began to fill her golden brown eyes and she raised her hand and slapped his face.